- Advertisement -

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .

THE directors of Cagayan de Oro Water District may have unwittingly strengthened the petition against the utility’s agreement with Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp. when they booted out general manager Rachel Beja, the lawyer of the city councilors said yesterday.

- Advertisement -

Lawyer James Judith has questioned the COWD-Metro Pacific joint venture agreement before the Philippine Competition Commission on behalf of councilors Teodulfo Lao Jr., Enrico Salcedo and Reuben Daba.

Judith pointed out that one of the reasons for Beja’s dismissal was because she asked the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel to review the agreement between COWD and Metro Pacific.

“Mao usab kana nga contract ang among gi-question so it will be annulled. Ang pagpaeview ni Beja ang cause of her dismissal from COWD ang mag-ingon unya nga duna gyu’y gitago-an,” he said.

Judith said he was keeping a file of news reports about Beja’s dismissal which he intends to submit to the PCC to strengthen their position.

“Bisan dili pa nato makuha ang sworn statement ni Beja, news clippings (are) enough to show that she was dismissed and terminated because of her move in submitting the contract for review,” he explained.

Judith urged Beja to “validate in good faith” with the members of city council who filed the petition for the cancellation of the joint agreement.

For her part, Beja told local radio she was willing to work with city officials in their efforts to scrutinize the COWD-Metro Pacific agreement.

She clarified however that it was not her intention to question the contract.

“I did not question the contract but I had to do it because I had to make sure because I am one of the signatories, and if there is a problem, I (could) be held liable. Kita ang manubag kung dunay kahiwi-an,” Beja said.

Beja maintained that the joint venture agreement underwent deliberations by the board. She said she only wanted to clarify some points and so, she sought the opinion of the OGCC.

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -